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Endale Assefa _ Daily Monitor, Addis Abeba
27 August, 2007
Microsoft is eying an enhanced market for the sell of its Windows XP software program in Ethiopia, as part of Bill Gates's 'ambitious plan' to bring the benefits of technology to the next five billion people around the world, representatives of the US-based, World's biggest software giant said on Thursday.
The representatives who came here to attend international conference on ICT said the company is set to promote the new Computing Subscription Program through Ethiopian dealers who will sell computers to potential clients in the country.
Computing Subscription enables clients to buy a computer running Windows XP home simply paying a portion of the upfront cost, said Ali Hoballah, the unlimited Potential Group manager for Middle East & Africa for Microsoft explaining on the what and how of the new software.
The remaining balance will be paid by using local vendors' prepaid cards that activate the machine for a definite amount of time.
If time runs out on the PC, he elaborated, it enters a "reserve tank," or limited access state, until additional time is added.
Once the computer is paid off, the metering technology is deactivated and the consumer owns the machine outright.
"This is part of the company's program is called the Unlimited Potential-a global socio-economic development programme to enhance affordability of Windows XP," Ali said.
Ali said there are billions of people who will require new products that meet the needs of underserved communities; creative, new business approaches that make technology more relevant, accessible; and close collaboration between local governments, educational institutions and community organization.
"To this end, Microsoft is working with governments, educators and IT industry partners through Unlimited Potential to provide access to technologies and hoping depending to have reached the first billion people world wide by 2015.
Ali noted that through this expansion of Unlimited potential, Microsoft is increasing its-long term commitment to use technology, training and partnership to improve education, accelerate innovation, create jobs and spur Sustainable socio - economic growth-around the world and here in Africa.
Microsoft Software Company is today faced with stiff competition from newly emerging software providing companies like Linux and Oracle.
Yet it is still the world's leading software provider and has been since 1975.
It has branch all over the continent (and many in Africa) since it opened is first office commencement in 1996. Software in Ethiopia is sold through agents as the company has no full-fledged office here.